This evening, acclaimed jazz pianist and innovative BMI composer Joanne Brackeen will be awarded the BNY Mellon Jazz 2014 Living Legacy Award at Washington, D.C.’s, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The award “honors living jazz masters from the mid-Atlantic region who have achieved distinction in jazz performance and education,” and is a program of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation sponsored by investment management firm BNY Mellon.

Having established herself as a cutting-edge pianist and composer throughout the world, Brackeen is still passionate about sharing her musical knowledge with others. Although almost entirely self-taught, she has led clinics and residencies worldwide and is currently a Professor at Berklee College of Music. During her dynamic career, she has played with BMI affiliates Sonny Stitt, Woody Shaw, Lee Konitz, George Benson, Joe Henderson and Stan Getz, among many other noted masters. Her own trios have featured such renowned players as Clint Houston, Eddie Gomez, Jack DeJohnette and Billy Hart.

In addition to the award ceremony, the celebration will include a gala reception and a performance honoring the 2012 BNY Mellon Living Legacy awardee, Muhal Richard Abrams. For more information on the BNY Mellon Jazz Living Legacy Award and the event, please visit Living Legacy.